The Position of Women in Hindu Civilisation, from Prehistoric Times to the Present Day c14.s2.64

c14.s2.64

To conclude, we find that even some of the warmest champions of the widow's right of inheritance like Bṛihaspati definitely declare her to be a limited heir, while others like Yājñavalkya and Vishṇu are merely silent on the point. No one specifically invests her with the power to dispose of the immoveable property in her inheritance, gifts for religious purposes being the only exception. It is therefore clear that down to the 12th century, the widow was intended to be given only a limited power over her inheritance. Society was, as shown already, very reluctant to recognise the widow as even a limited heir; it would have summarily rejected the case of her champions, if they had suggested that she should be invested with absolute powers over her inheritance.